My apologies to the list for the private message.

Barbara



----- Original Message -----
From: Barbara Vines Little <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 8:55 PM
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Senate Bill 818


> While I and others respect your position; you only have to review the
> "copies" of deeds currently being processed to have grave concern about
the
> quality of the preservation. Poor microfilming, even under today's
standards
> occur. I realize that we can't keep everything, but wills hold a very dear
> place in the hearts of most genealogists and I don't think you are going
to
> convince them that they shouldn't be retained. Is the Library willing to
> (and able) to take the originals after filming?
>
> Barbara
>
>
> Would you be interested in doing a "From the  Archives" regarding the
> Library's role in records retention--on a very basic level. I've read some
> of the actual "rules and regulations."
>
> Barbara
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Conley Edwards <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 4:00 PM
> Subject: [VA-HIST] Senate Bill 818
>
>
> > As most of you know, the Library of Virginia maintains the official
> archives
> > of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The state archives contains more than
91
> > million items documenting four centuries of Virginia history.
> >
> > We have been monitoring Senate Bill 818 and want to reassure researchers
> > that safeguards exist through the state's records management program to
> > preserve the vital information contained in wills.  The Code of Virginia
> in
> > the sections known as the Virginia Public Records Act gives the Library
of
> > Virginia authority to manage and direct records management for the
> > Commonwealth of Virginia.  This Code section governs the retention and
> > disposition of the records of the circuit courts.  As a result, circuit
> > court clerks in Virginia are either keeping the original will or
creating
> a
> > facsimile of the original will.  This is standard procedure.  Senate
Bill
> > 818 would not change this.
> >
> > We will continue to work closely with the state's circuit court clerks
on
> > the requirements of our records management program to ensure that the
> > invaluable information in these records is preserved, assuring
researchers
> > effective and efficient access.
> >
> > We are grateful for the concerns you have expressed and will continue to
> > communicate and work with the Commonwealth's circuit court clerks on
this
> > matter.  As the official state repositoty we are committed to the
> > preservation of the documentary hertiage of Virginia and do not believe
> > Senate Bill 818 as currently written threatens that mission.
> >
> > ************
> > Conley L. Edwards
> > State Archivist
> > The Library of Virginia
> > 800 East Broad Street
> > Richmond, VA  23219
> > 804-692-3554
> > [log in to unmask]
> > ************
> >
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